Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein made the announcement Tuesday morning.

They said the next step would be to license possibly five dispensaries, which would be located separately from the growing sites, and that medical marijuana would be available for patients by this summer.

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“We’re talking about patients with cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, PTSD and other debilitating illnesses,” Malloy said at a press conference at 400 Frontage Road in West Haven, where Advanced Grow Labs will base its marijuana-growing operation.

The law permitting prescriptions for medical marijuana covers 11 illnesses and patients will only be able to get enough for one month at a time. Malloy said he doesn’t believe health insurance will cover it.

“These citizens deserve compassion, not arrest. They deserve understanding and relief, not fines and a criminal record. And they deserve a treatment that is safe,” Malloy said.

“This law allows a doctor and a patient to decide what is in the patient’s best interest. For years, I have heard stories from people considering the benefits of medical marijuana who desperately want to follow the law, who desperately want to follow the doctor’s advice, and who desperately want relief from the pain or debilitation from the disease they are suffering from.”

Theraplant plans to purchase a building in Watertown’s industrial park and will immediately begin renovations to it.

“Connecticut has enacted what we believe are the most rigorous rules and regulations concerning medical marijuana in the country, and we’re thrilled to be part of this new industry,” said Ethan Ruby, CEO of Theraplant, in a press release. “We intend to be a responsible steward in implementing this landmark legislation to improve the lives of Connecticut residents suffering from debilitating illnesses by providing pure, natural palliative medicine. We also look forward to being a responsible member of the Watertown community, and appreciate the town’s continued support throughout this process.”

Theraplant includes a team of pharmacists and agriculturalists. The company includes staff who previously ran a medical marijuana production facility and dispensary in Colorado.

The 60,000-square foot plant will be located near other manufacturers, the company said in the release. It began working with Watertown in February 2013.

“We are fortunate to have attracted Theraplant to Watertown,” said Watertown Town Manager, Chuck Frigon in a statement. “Theraplant’s commitment to research and development will place Watertown on the cutting edge of a new and nationally expanding industry and will result in a variety of career opportunities for many of our residents and have an immediate impact on our tax base.”

Watertown’s Economic Development Coordinator, Joe Seacrist, said in a statement that Theraplant has been “exceptionally open, transparent and cooperative with the town.”

He said, “promises to provide significant tax revenue to the town, and create a number of good-paying jobs. This is a welcome addition to our Business Park that will put a formerly empty manufacturing facility back into active production.”

Malloy said the four producers will create about 100 new jobs in the state.

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Michael Zacchea said “There is some evidence that medical marijuana is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress and spinal cord injuries.”

He said the state has 216,000 veterans, 8 percent of the state population, and the unemployment rate is also 8 percent.

Medical marijuana, he said, would further the goal “ultimately to help our veterans re-enter and become productive parts of Connecticut’s workforce and to relieve any suffering they may be undergoing.”

Zacchaea said a third of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD and Connecticut is “once again becoming a peer leader among all the states in the union in setting the standard of care for our veterans.”

According to the Department of Consumer Protection, 1,684 patients have been certified to participate in the program. The state has received 27 applications for dispensary licenses and 16 for producer licenses.

The law passed in 2012 allows the use of marijuana for patients suffering from one of 11 specific debilitating illnesses whose doctors believe the treatment is appropriate.

Malloy said part of the law ensures that there be a regular doctor-patient relationship to prevent doctor shopping.

“When we adopted the law in 2012, I wanted to make sure that we had specific safeguards in place to ensure that we don’t go down the same path some other states have, which essentially would legalize marijuana for anyone willing to find the right doctor to get the right prescription,” Malloy said.

Connecticut has decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Under the regulations, the producers will only be allowed to cultivate and manufacture products containing marijuana, selling them for wholesale purposes.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman spoke of a family experience. “Forty years ago, I wish this had been in place when I saw an uncle of mine suffering, trying to stay alive and ... constantly on different medications that didn’t ... help him feel good. He was able to get ahold of marijuana and ... it helped him be able to continue to take those drugs that he needed to stay alive.”

The Associated Press contributed to the story. Call Ed Stannard at 203-789-5743.